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Rotarians celebrate The Rotary Club of Pakenham came together in late June to both celebrate its dedicated members and introduce their new committee for the coming year. Held at the Cardinia Club on 25 June, the club had many reasons to celebrate with three members receiving the Ruby Pin for 50 years service and another the Paul Harris Fellow award. President Ian Wake spoke of the club’s activities and achievements over the past year, such as a successful deb ball, Christmas trailer raffle and their ongoing Bunnings barbecues and community dances. Story page 8
The Rotary Club of Pakenham’s own president Ian Wake also received the Ruby Pin from Graeme Begg.
Vapes clarity call By Sahar Foladi and Corey Everitt
Furthermore, the Federal Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has not approved any vape products which leaves pharmacist Beshoy Shahat from Direct Chemist Outlet in Cardinia Lakes waiting on clarity. “Nothing is clear at the moment because we are not allowed to stock anything that is not TGA approved and no vape product is TGA approved,“ he said. “Will they make the TGA approve some of the products or will they allow us to sell nonapproved products?” The TGA currently has a list of vape products notified to them claiming they comply with ‘applicable standards’, but no product has been assessed. Vapes containing nicotine or a zero-nicotine substance will available by October, the TGA says, but will be subjected to cer-
tain conditions including products in plain medical packaging, available only in mint, menthol and tobacco flavours, as well as the pharmacist providing advice and support around smoking cessation and nicotine dependence. Shahat still wants certainty on approval and is concerned about a scenario where it is suspended for vapes. “Again, even a prescription must be for something that is TGA approved,” he said. “I think it will be a mistake if they let pharmacies sell non-TGA approved products because they will advertise and I’ll have people coming through just for vape products.” The amendment from a schedule four (prescription only) to a schedule three (pharmacist only) sparked fury across pharmacies. Continued page 3
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New vaping reforms are in place across Australia in a crackdown purporting to safeguard young people, but has left a Pakenham pharmacist seeking clarity as vapes are now only available at chemists. Further, a prescription from a general or nurse practitioner is required. It is said to be a world-leading reform. University of Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences associate professor Michelle Jongenelis says this is “definitely a win” for public health. “We didn’t get the controlled access we were hoping for but it’s better than anything else beforehand and better than stores opening near high schools selling e-cigarettes. “The loophole behind whether it contains
nicotine, retailers won’t be able to hide behind this any more after the law comes into effect because they’ll be treated the same regardless. “It’s a huge step forward in public health safety. “We do need to work considerably hard with various pharmacies and groups to make sure they’re providing right advice and information to people who want to source e-cigarettes.” States and territories will be able to take fast enforcement action on non-pharmacy stores selling vapes, without the need to determine if the vapes, regardless of the labelling, actually contain nicotine. Though some confusion still lingers for pharmacists as a last minute amendment by the Greens means a prescription will no longer be required to purchase vapes from a pharmacy from 1 October for those aged 18 years and over.